How to Type in Other Languages with Windows

If you are someone who speak more than one language and you work with a computer, there may be times when you want to use one of your other languages in Windows. Or, perhaps you need to keep in touch via e-mails with a friend or colleague living in other country speaking in other language. Unfortunately, though, you may not have any ideas on how to type in other languages with Windows operating system. As a matter of fact, it may even cross your mind that this operating system by Microsoft does not even support languages you speak at all. Well, that is not true. However, there are indeed several things you need to do first before you will be able to type in whatever language you prefer using a Windows PC.

To start it off, go to your Windows Control Panel. From there, navigate to the Region and Language section. You will see a window with 4 tabs on top popping up before you. You will see “Keyboards and Languages” on one of the tabs. Click on it. Now, you will have 2 options, whether you want to change your keyboard setting or to install a new language.

If the version of the Windows OS you are running is XP, you will first have to install the language you want to type in. So, click on the button that says “Install/uninstall languages…”. You will need your original Windows XP installation CD to proceed. Insert the CD when prompted and Windows will install your chosen language for you. Yet, if you are running Windows Vista or 7, this step won’t usually be necessary as the languages are often already pre-installed for you.

region and language in windows control panel

region and language settings window

Now, when the language you want has already been installed on your Windows system, the next thing you will have to do is to change your keyboard setting so click on the “Change keyboards…” button. This will bring another pop-up window. You will see 2 sections on this window. The above is the section that manages which version of keyboard will be available when you use Windows. Another section below is a list of installed languages. If you are not satisfied with what you see on the list, you are free to click on the “Add…” button to get more languages.

If you decide to add more languages, you will be presented with another window with a list of all the languages you can choose. For each of the languages, there is at least one default keyboard setting. All you need to do is put a tick on the keyboard setting you would like to have with your new language. When you click OK, the language will be added and you will be able to choose it by simply clicking the “Change keyboards…” button mentioned earlier.

When you are done with installing new languages or setting up your keyboard, you can now change the language by clicking the language label on your taskbar (which is on the right hand side by default). It is also recommended that you show the language bar as some languages may need more adjustments before you can conveniently type in the other languages using your Windows OS.